Caribbean News
Jamaica Strengthens Climate Action
#Jamaica, May 12, 2022 – Jamaica has updated its Climate Change and Emissions Policy frameworks to effectively respond to climate change impacts and support transformative action to ensure environmentally sound management of emissions.
The revised frameworks, which define Jamaica’s goals, strategies and key activities/measures for implementation, were approved by Cabinet as Green Papers in February 2021.
Since then, the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, through its Environmental and Risk Management
Branch, has engaged with the public on the contents, while refining the documents.
Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry, with responsibility for the environment, climate change, water and the blue and green economies, Senator the Hon. Matthew Samuda, said the public engagement has allowed the Ministry to “benefit from significant input from several stakeholders, including youth representatives, environmental practitioners, transport and energy experts”.
Speaking at a virtual townhall on the documents recently, he explained that the 2015 Climate Change Policy Framework was revised and updated to reflect a greater focus on climate change mitigation and action and align with the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Jamaica’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“The updated framework speaks, specifically, to addressing the detrimental effects of climate change,” he noted.
The Climate Change Policy Framework, at the time of its development seven years ago, focussed on the establishment of a sustainable institutional mechanism to coordinate climate action in Jamaica.
Chief among its objectives was the mainstreaming of climate change considerations into national policies and development planning and to build the country’s capacity to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.
Since then, several developments have taken place that have necessitated updates to the policy.
The primary change is the fact that Jamaica became a signatory to and ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017, which has strengthened global climate action.
The 2015 Agreement sets out a global framework to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below two degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
A central aim of the Agreement is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change as well as the ability of countries to deal with the impacts.
Acting Senior Director of the Environmental Risk Management Branch at the Ministry, Nicole O’Reggio, said that the updated Climate Change Policy Framework places greater focus on mitigation, research, data collection and technology transfer needs.
She noted that the revised policy has three goals – to strengthen Jamaica’s adaptive capacity and resilience to reduce its vulnerability to climate change; pursue low carbon development and enhance access to and mobilisation of climate finance; and third, to promote public education and awareness relating to research and technology transfer towards climate action.
She said there is also an objective of “improving the governance framework for climate action and ensuring transparency and accountability”.
Meanwhile, the Emissions Policy Framework puts forward several objectives, strategies, and actions to improve the mechanisms that govern air quality management.
Manager of the Air Quality Branch of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Shannen Sacra, noted that the policy provides directives on how the State will approach its responsibilities, to ensure that the management of emissions is environmentally sound.
“[This includes] a monitoring, reporting and evaluation framework, which identifies roles and responsibilities for the coordinated execution of the policy,” she said.
“Also, we want to say that we are going to focus on outdoor air pollution as opposed to air pollution within households,” she continued.
Ms. Suckra said this will include addressing the management of emissions from industrial processes such as power generation; land, air and sea transportation; waste disposal and treatment; land use and biomass; burning of agricultural by-products; and residential and commercial sources.
Additionally, she said the Ministry will seek to develop and implement an Air Shed Management Plan and increase public education about air quality issues to facilitate participation in the protection of health and the built environment.
“We want to provide and make available, data and information on emissions of air pollutants, including the annual ambient air-quality reports. So, we want the public to be armed with the requisite information so that they can actively participate in the decision-making process,” she noted.
Additional air-quality regulations can be found under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act, Public Health Nuisance Regulations, the Clean Air Act, Country Fires Act, and the Road Traffic Act.
The updated frameworks are available for viewing on the Ministry’s website at www.megjc.gov.jm/policies/.
Contact: Chanel Spence
Release: JIS
Caribbean News
Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion
Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.
The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.
“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital
policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.
“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”
Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.
Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.
Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.
Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.
Photo Caption:
TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain
Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.
The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new
administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.
In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.
The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.
Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.
Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s
leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.
The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.
Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.
Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM
Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.
CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.
Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.
“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.
“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity,
such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”
Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.
“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.
Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.
Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.
Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.
“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.
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